Combination darning-ball and handy implement.



H. G. COOK.

COMBINATION DARNING BALL AND HANDY IMPLEMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED MAYIII, 1912.

1,048,296. Patented Dec.24, 1912.

lV/TNESSES: INVENTOR,

A TTORNEY.

HERBERT C.

COOK, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINATION DARNING-BALL AND HANDY IMPLEMENT.

Application filed May 11, 1912. Serial No. 696,610.

T 0 all whom '1' t m up concern:

Be it known that I, Hnnmnrr C. Cook, a citizen of the United. States of America, and resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of lWIassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Darning-Balls and Handy Implements, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to provide a device which is available for utilization for several purposes,-t-hat is it is primarily to be employed as a darning ball; furthermore, as a last or form for the mending of the thumb and the large and small fingers of gloves, and also as a device by means of which the tubular rods of various sizes may 'be threaded or engaged throltigh the hems of sash, lace or other curtains or port-ieres.

The invention is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the complete device with the parts thereof all in engagement with each other. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the utility of the darning ball or last when it is desired that a piece of fabric of character other than that of a stocking is to be mended while drawn to a taut condition over the darning ball. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate uses of the handle portions of the device for threading tubular curtain rods through different sized hems of sash curtains.

In the drawings, A represents the darning ball of ovoidal shape and made with a flattened face 6 at one side thereof and the darning ball has a rearwardly open socket (Z in its rear end.

B represents, generally, a handle by which the darning ball is carried, the same comprising a forward section f, an intermediate section 9, and a rear section it, each bemg of a greater diametrical size than the one next forward thereof. The forward and intermediate sections have their forward ends rounded as shown, and they are formed with attenuated axial stems f and g at their rear ends and the stem of the intermediate section is provided with a rearwardly projecting pin 9 The intermediate and rear sectlons have sockets 9* and k in their forward ends in which said stems are detaehably engaged or bound with a crowding fit; and the for- Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 191 2.

ward section f which is slightly tapered has a detachable crowding fit in the socket (Z in the ball. The stems f and 9 of the section f and 1 are formed for the greater portion of their length with a gradual taper, but the angle of the tapering at the forward portion of each of such stems is of increased abruptncss, as indicated at and g; and the socket mouths of the handle section into which the said tapered stems are received have binding and retaining engagements with the tapered portions f and of the stems. which are of the greater abruptness. This last described special formation is one especially advantageous for employment in the device which is usually to be made of wood, as the interengaged part will always derive a seating and detachable confinement irrespective of changes resulting from swelling or shrinkage of the wood.

The darning ball comprising the sectionally formed handle will be employed in the ordinary manner when used in stockings. In some cases where a piece of fabric is to be darned or mended the rear handle sect-ion may be removed, a portion of the fabric engaged with the pin or spur and being held thereby may be drawn by the hand and maintained in a taut or more or less stretched condition across the flattened face or the rounded face of the ball as desired while the darning is being performed. For employment as a last or form the rear handle section It, the rear end of which is rounded, may be inserted in the large fingers of gloves,but for small glove fingers the forward section f, disconnected from the darning ball may be employed.

In Fig. 4 the tapered stem of the smaller and forward handle section f is represented as engaged in the end of a tubular rod of comparatively small size preparatory to threading it through the hem j of a sash curtain; and in Fig. 5 the larger, intermediate section is similarly employed in conjunction with the tubular curtain rod 2' of larger size.

I claim 1. The combination with a darning ball having a socketin its rear end, of a handle comprising a forward, an intermediate, and

a rear section, the forward and intermediate which said stems are detachably engaged, and the forward section having a detachable engagement in the socket in the darning ball.

2. The combination with a darning ball having a socket in its rear end, of a handle comprising a plurality of sections the forward one of which has a detachable engagement in the socket of the darning ball and one of the handle sections to the rear of another of such sections having a tapered stem and socket engagement, one of the stems being provided with a pin extending rearwardly from the end thereof, the socketed handle section to the rear thereof concealing and serving as a guard for such pin.

3. The combination with a darning ball having a socket in its rear end, of a handle comprlslng a forward, an intermediate, and

a rear section, and each of greater diametrical size than the one next forward thereof, the forward and intermediate sections having their forward ends rounded, and formed with attenuated axial stems at their rear ends, the stem of the intermediate section having a rearwardly projecting pin, the in termediate and rear sections having sockets in their forward ends in which said stems are detachably engaged, and the forward section having a detachable engagement in the socket in the darning ball.

Signed by me at Springfield, Mass, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERBERT O. COOK.

Nitnesses WM. S. BnLLows, G. R. Dnrsoonn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

